Energy Efficiency Tips for Your Home

With energy prices set to rise again in the coming months, homeowners are looking for ways to increase their energy efficiency in order to minimise their gas and electricity consumption and keep household bills as low as possible.

So here are a few top tips on how to make sure you aren’t using any more energy than you have to in your home:

Insulation

Your home loses heat through 5 main areas; walls, ceilings, windows and doors, flooring and air leakage leading to drafts. By improving the insulation in your home you can keep warm without needing to rely so heavily on your central heating. Insulation can be added in the loft and cavity walls, or through the use of rugs and draft excluders. Good quality double glazing in your windows and doors are a worthy investment that also makes a big difference.

Turn Down the Heat

It’s important for your home to remain at a comfortable temperature, but there’s no need for you to be able to wear a t-shirt in the middle of winter! After you’re taken the steps above to improve insulation you will find that you can get by on a lot less, so try turning the heating down little by little and you might be surprised at how low you can go before you start to notice any difference.

Use Only What You Need

There are lots of little ways that you can cut back on your energy consumption by being a little more conscious of what you don’t need. When you use the kettle, only boil as much water as you’re going to use there and then, and take showers instead of baths to avoid heating up large amounts of water unnecessarily. When you’re the last to leave a room, make sure the TV, computer and radio are fully switched off, and turn off the lights.

Renewable Energy

If you can afford to invest in renewable energy it can contribute a significant proportion of your household energy requirements and can pay for itself over time. If the initial installation costs are holding you back, the government Green Deal could provide a solution by funding your installation and allowing you to pay off the debt through your energy bills over time. Whether you choose solar panels, ground source heat pumps or air source heat pumps, creating a sustainable source of energy for your home is an investment that will have an immediate impact on the environment, and a lasting effect on your bills.

Appliances

Kitchen appliances such as the washing machine, tumble dryer and refrigerator all contribute significantly to your energy consumption, so when the time comes to replace an appliance you could save money by choosing an energy efficient model. UK energy suppliers operate an off-peak tariff during the night called ‘economy 7’, so use a timer to make your washing come on during these hours if possible. It is estimated that you can save £3 per year on each energy saving light bulb that you install, which quickly adds up if you use them throughout your home.

This post was written by Nicky Hand. If you’re interested in making your home more energy efficient then double glazing is a good way to start. I’d recommend UK Trade for a great range of windows and doors in a style to suit you.